Bill would start a three-year VA grant pilot for outpatient mental health care for veterans

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall run a three-year pilot program that gives grants to eligible mental health care providers to deliver mental health care to veterans, in person or by telehealth. Providers must have documented experience serving veterans and their families, plus training in behavioral health conditions related to military service. Congress must provide the money, since the bill only authorizes $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029. A grant for a facility may not exceed $1,500,000 a year, or the lesser of $1,500,000 and 50 percent of its budget if it relies heavily on federal grants. The pilot runs three years, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

To qualify, a provider must have run an outpatient mental health facility for at least three years, be licensed and accredited, and apply with a plan to train at least one clinician at each facility in veterans' care. The VA must spread grants evenly between rural and urban areas, and must give priority to providers whose main mission is serving veterans or military-connected people, or who show the grant will expand veterans' access to care. The VA may also favor areas that are medically underserved, near military bases, have many veterans, or have many veterans at high risk of suicide.

Grant money may pay for veterans' care, new or expanded outpatient facilities, outreach, and care for uninsured veterans or those not eligible for VA care. Providers may not charge veterans fees or refuse care because another payer will not cover it. Grants may also pay for family therapy and counseling for veterans' spouses and dependent children when it is key to the veteran's treatment. Grant money may not duplicate VA payments or pay for services a federal payer or health plan already covers. A report to Congress is due within 180 days after the pilot ends.

The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38 would replace each June 9, 2034 date with July 24, 2034. The change is in the table that sets fees for VA home loans.